LETTER FROM ENDA KENNY ABOUT BREXIT
| Dear Friend, I am very sorry that the result of the referendum is for the UK to leave the European Union. However, the British people have spoken and we fully respect their decision. We have previously set out our main concerns in the event of Brexit. These relate to the potential impacts for trade and the economy, for Northern Ireland, for the common travel area and for the European Union itself. We have engaged in detailed contingency planning for the possibility of this result. Today at Government, we agreed to publish a summary of the key actions we will now take to address the contingencies arising from the UK’s decision. Our primary objective remains to protect and advance this country’s interests. The Summer Economic Statement, published earlier this week, includes an assessment of the potential economic impact of a UK vote to leave the EU. Ireland is a strong, open and competitive economy – our ongoing economic recovery is testament to our resilience. In the immediate term, the Minister for Finance and his officials are in close contact with the Central Bank, the NTMA and our international partners to ensure that any short-term market volatility is carefully managed. They will continue to monitor and assess developments. The implications of this vote for Northern Ireland and for relations between North and South on this island will require careful consideration. These will be a particular priority for the Irish Government. I welcome the Prime Minister’s clear statement that Northern Ireland’s interests will be fully reflected in the British Government’s negotiating position. I will meet with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Executive on Monday week at the North/South Ministerial Council where we will have detailed discussions on how to best approach these new circumstances - acting in the best interests of all of the people of Ireland, North and South. We are also acutely aware of the concerns which will be felt across the Irish community in Britain. I want to assure them that the Irish Government will also have their interests in our thinking as we approach the forthcoming negotiations. It is important to remember that the position of Irish citizens within the EU will be unaffected. Ireland will, of course, remain a member of the European Union. That is profoundly in our national interest. There will be a discussion of the next steps at the meeting of the European Council next week. I will clearly set out our national position at that meeting, and I will ensure that our particular national interests are fully respected as we prepare to enter the next phase of negotiations. I would like to express my personal best wishes to Prime Minister Cameron. We have worked closely together at a time of unprecedented warmth in relations between our two countries. He has taken a decision this morning which he believes is in the interests of his country. I wish him all the very best for the future. Finally, I’d like to reiterate that while Ireland’s future lies within the European Union, Ireland’s strong and close relationship with the UK will remain. Kind regards. Yours sincerely, |
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ENDA KENNY
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ENDA KENNY
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ENDA - PROTEST MARCH
Enda Kenny is an Irish politician, and leader of Fine Gael since 2002, and Taoiseach since March 2011. He has also been Ireland's Minister for Defence since 6 May 2016. He was a two-term Vice-President of the European People's Party and was Ireland's Minister for Tourism and Trade from 1994 to 1997.
Kenny has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for Mayo since 1975, having succeeded his father Henry Kenny. He is the longest-serving TD currently in Dáil Éireann, which makes him the incumbent Father of the Dáil.
Kenny led Fine Gael ahead of the 2011 general election. He subsequently brokered an agreement with the Labour Party and formed a coalition government on 9 March 2011.[3] After two months of negotiations following the 2016 election, an agreement was reached for a Fine Gael-led minority government, and Kenny was re-elected as Taoiseach on 6 May 2016. He is the first Taoiseach from Fine Gael since John Bruton from 1994 to 1997, the first Fine Gael leader to win government in an election since Garret FitzGerald in 1982, and the first Fine Gael Taoiseach to maintain his office after a general election.
Kenny has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for Mayo since 1975, having succeeded his father Henry Kenny. He is the longest-serving TD currently in Dáil Éireann, which makes him the incumbent Father of the Dáil.
Kenny led Fine Gael ahead of the 2011 general election. He subsequently brokered an agreement with the Labour Party and formed a coalition government on 9 March 2011.[3] After two months of negotiations following the 2016 election, an agreement was reached for a Fine Gael-led minority government, and Kenny was re-elected as Taoiseach on 6 May 2016. He is the first Taoiseach from Fine Gael since John Bruton from 1994 to 1997, the first Fine Gael leader to win government in an election since Garret FitzGerald in 1982, and the first Fine Gael Taoiseach to maintain his office after a general election.